FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PUNK PIONEERS PENNYWISE READY FOR CANADIAN STINT
TOUR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 3 IN QUEBEC AND WRAPS UP SEPTEMBER 17 IN VANCOUVER
BAND IS REINTRODUCING ITSELF WITH NEW LEAD SINGER ZOLI TEGLAS

August 24, 2010—California South Bay punk stalwarts Pennywise, a main stage standout on this summer’s Vans Warped Tour, with Zoli Teglas of Orange County’s Ignite as the band’s new and permanent vocalist, will be taking its act across the Great White North during a brief Canadian tour kicking off September 3 in Quebec and wrapping up on September 17 in Vancouver.

After months of searching, the members of Pennywise announced Teglas, a long time friend and tour mate, as the band’s official front man. The newly energized lineup made its debut at the 2009 Smokeout Festival and has since played a handful of Southern California shows, including a sold-out holiday benefit concert for Amnesty International at Long Beach Arena, before venturing on a European tour and starting its run on Warped Tour in mid-July.

In talking about the band’s new front man, bassist Randy Bradbury explains, “Zoli brings to the table a tremendous vocal ability, creativity, and a die hard work ethic. There is a bond that makes this change feel like it was simply meant to be. Having Zoli join the band is a well needed shot of positive energy.”

Pennywise has been hard at work on a new record and is currently eying an early 2011 release date.

Pennywise Canadian Tour Dates:

UCI Mountain Bike Festival Quebec City, QC, CANADA

Metropolis Montreal, QC, CANADA Find Tickets

The London Music Hall London, ON, CANADA Find Tickets

The Sound Academy Toronto, ON, CANADA Find Tickets

The Garrick Winnipeg, MB, CANADA Find Tickets

Odeon Saskatoon, SK, CANADA Find Tickets

Edmonton Event Centre Edmonton, AB, CANADA Find Tickets

Flames Central Calgary, AB, CANADA

Flashbacks Kelowna, BC, CANADA

The Commodore Vancouver, BC, CANADA Find Tickets

For more band information see www.myspace.com/pennywise

The infamous Scorpions front line!

Scorpions
Molson Amphitheatre
Toronto, Ontario
June 27, 2010

I’m gonna date myself here. Back in 1981, I had just moved to a town called Prince George BC. Desolation Boulevard. Being the young extrovert I always was, I quickly hooked up with the neighbourhood partiers, young as we were, and dove headlong into the toxic realm of partying to the soundtrack of the new wave of metal that was pounding our eardrums.

One of my buddies found a tape. Remember those? The chunk of plastic with two rolling wheels of low quality, magnetic tape running in between? Just checking. So he finds this unmarked, home made tape with some of the best tunes we’d ever heard in our lives. We spun this thing relentlessly but no matter what, we couldn’t figure out who this mystery band was.

They seemed to have accents but we weren’t sure what kind. We had no idea what they were singing about or what the names of the songs were so we made up names for each tune and had our own lyrics for most of them. We didn’t know what the hell they were saying half the time and I swear they didn’t either cuz some of those lyrics were right up there with Stompin Tom for their preschooler’s rhyming abilities.

Their music was amazing. The guitar work totally blew us away. A few of the tunes had solos so advanced our puny little minds could hardly comprehend what was actually happening there. We were already hooked on Ozzy and his diminutive sidekick, the late Randy Rhoads, so we had the measuring stick as to what a kick ass guitarist would be sized up with. Well the mystery guitarist in this band even towered over some of Mr. Rhoads masterpieces.

Later in 1982, an album came out that rocked my world. “Blackout” by the Scorpions. With constant MTV airplay, “No One Like You” instantly kicked me in the nads and woke me up to some GERMAN heavy metal… and that voice… so familiar…. Well lo and behold we’re bitchin the tape one day buddy says “ahhhhh… Old Scorpions.. nice choice” Old Scorpions???? CLICK.

So it turns out what we were listening to was the “Best of Scorpions”, a culmination of the best tunes they had to offer from when they were formed way back in 1965 by Rudolf (Rudy) Schenker, until around 1978 when Michael Schenker (Rudy’s brother) left the band and was replaced by Matthias Jabs after the recording of 1979’s “Lovedrive” album.

The one and only Klaus Meine had joined the band around 1970 and the Scorpions started to gel with the addition of the mystery guitarist Uli Jon Roth who’s introverted ways led to an early departure and the loss of quite possibly the best metal guitarist to ever walk the face of the earth. One listen to “Sails of Charon” and you’ll hear exactly what I’m talking about.

Drummer Herman Rarebell and bassist Francis Bucholz rounded out the lineup at the time and they handed over their crown jewel, “Love At First Sting” in 1984 which propelled the band into superstardom. Many lineup changes later and the wheel stops spinning at the current lineup of Klaus Meine, Rudy Schenker, Matthias Jabs, Pawel Maciwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drums). With the 3 main frontmen in position, this band hasn’t changed a whole lot, sound wise, since as far back as 1980’s “Animal Magnetism”.

Never having seen them before, I was completely stoked to finally see the show that I’d heard so much about as apparently it rarely changes from tour to tour. After a quick gander at the setlist from a few different cities around the world on this tour, it became clear that these guys don’t like to shake up the set much either.

I got to the venue early and discreetly engaged in some tailgating as we waited for show time. Half liquored I made my way to the media tent situated what seemed to be a half a kilometre away from the stage. We got the call to head to the stage just as the skies opened up and dumped a fury of rain that lasted the entire show.

I was drenched. Me, my camera and my attitude. I couldn’t believe we were so poorly situated at the venue. Next time I’ll surely bring an umbrella and a couple garbage bags just in case. First act to hit the stage.. Cinderella. It was a pleasant surprise to see Tom Keifer up there kicking ass after all these years, looking good, sounding great and if I had to venture a guess, I’d say he was having a good time doing the same old shtick.

When the Scorps finally lit up the stage, the place went nuts. Even with half the venue completely soaked to the bone, everyone seemed to take it in stride and just enjoy the show touted as the LAST tour for the Scorpions. I was just damn glad to have been there seeing as I’d never seen them before and whether it was their last tour or not, I had to cross this band off my bucket list.

I was told Rudy was the guy to watch. Even closing in at 62 years of age this August, Rudolf Schenker hasn’t lost his piss n vinegar one bit. Constantly in motion, smiling like the madman he is and jumping around the stage from one end to the other, Rudy put on a show that makes most bands look like they’re sitting still the whole time. Even bassist Maciwoda, 20 years Rudy’s junior, didn’t move near as much as the old guy!

Rudy’s selection of Flying V’s from old originals to new space age custom models kept any guitar enthusiast drooling especially when teamed up with Mathias endless supply of Explorers, Stratocasters and customs.

Jabs movements were much more in tune with his age but his fingers nailed every note as they did back in the day. Meine’s voice defied sonic physics as he pulled off each tune without cheesing out on any notes as so many bands do. Few singers have the power and range that Klaus Meine possesses and to be using it to it’s fullest potential this many years later truly is amazing to witness.
Anyone who was a Scorps fan back in the day will be happy to know this band still has it. If they are going out to actually finish off their careers with this last tour, then they’re leaving on a high note. A perfectly pitched, Marshall amplified ass kicker of a high note. Catch em while you can, you will not be disappointed.

www.rebelreviewer.com

“With an all-star concert lineup that includes LCD Soundsystem, Chase & Status, Dizzee Rascal and The Kooks, there’s no question that Ibiza Rocks is the place to be this summer,” said Lorna Donohoe, vice president, worldwide retail sales and marketing, licensing, Playboy Enterprises, Inc. “Playboy is thrilled to be part of the Ibiza Rocks experience. We look forward to bringing great concerts – including Soulwax on June 29 – as well as cool products and Playboy fun to Ibiza this summer!”

Playboy is bringing the Bunny to Ibiza this summer with two onsite pop-up shops that will be fashioned to look like a musician’s flight case; the shops will offer exclusive co-branded t-shirts and Playboy product, including trendy apparel, accessories, fragrances, home goods and gifts.

Launched in 2007, Playboy’s Rock the Rabbit program invites high-profile musicians and bands to appear in an annual fashion pictorial in the magazine, and design t-shirts which incorporate their interpretation of the Playboy Rabbit Head. Notable Rock the Rabbit musicians include Soulwax and The Kooks, both of whom are performing at Ibiza Rocks this summer, as well as Duran Duran, MGMT, The Flaming Lips, Mötley Crüe, Lil’ Jon and Snoop Dogg.

For more information on Playboy Presents Ibiza Rocks please visit www.ibizarocks.com, and for more information on Playboy-licensed products please visit www.playboyenterprises.com, www.playboystore.com, and www.shopthebunny.com.

Tickets to the Ibiza Rocks concerts are available at www.ibizarocks.com, priced £22.50 plus booking fee.

This year’s headliners are Hank III and Morningwood. Once again, the spectacular party will conclude with The Joey Ramone Birthday Bashers featuring Richie Ramone, Hank III, Walter Lure, Cheetah Chrome, JP Thunderbolt, Ed Stasium, Jean Beauvoir, George Tabb, Ivan Julian, Al Maddy, Walt Stack, Dave Merrill, Mickey Leigh & others. Also appearing are The Sic F*cks, The Independents, Spanking Charlene (winners of Little Steven’s Wicked Cool Records contest) and Heap. As the audience enters the venue they will once again be greeted by musician Tracy Thornton, playing Ramones songs on the steel drum. And, in what has become a Birthday Bash tradition, Sean O’Sullivan’s Punk Pipers will round out the night with their rendition of “I Wanna Be Sedated” on bagpipes.

The Masters of Ceremony for this year’s fete will be Steven Van Zandt, Steve Craig, Matt Pinfield and Pete Ashner. Additional surprises are expected at the evening’s events.

RAMONE, who passed away in April 2001 after a seven-year battle with Lymphoma, had a history of encouraging up-and-coming bands in New York’s downtown music scene by showcasing them at his special “Joey Ramone Presents…” events. Since RAMONE’s passing, his brother and their mother Charlotte Lesher carried on the tradition “by featuring bands that make great music and getting together some of Joey’s friends to celebrate him on what would otherwise be a sad, somber day,” Leigh explained.

This year’s Bash is being sponsored by Manic Panic, Trash & Vaudeville, Tripp, New York Waste, WPKN, 101.9 RXP, Bravado and Ovation.

Tickets are available in advance at the Fillmore box office for $25 ($30 day of show) or through http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/404523. The Fillmore is located at 17 Irving Place, corner 15th Street, NYC. Doors open at 7PM.

For ongoing updates, visit www.joeyramone.com. Net proceeds from the Bash go to support the Joey Ramone Foundation for Lymphoma Research.

Having just released their third studio album “Through The Heart of The Infidel” via Vancouver label Thorny Bleeder Records (digitally April 27th and CD in stores on May 25th), Montreal rockers Special Ops are proud to announce their “Through the Heart of the Infidel Tour” presented by RockstarWeekly.com. The tour will kick off in Toronto on April 28th and see the infantry invade Canada and the US in support of this latest release.

Special Ops’ third album, “Through The Heart of The Infidel,” was produced by award-winning producer & mixer Glen Robinson (Voivod, The Ramones, AC/DC, Gwar, Queensryche, Nashville Pussy) along with the engineering and production talents of Kevin Jardine (Slaves on Dope, Monarchy), and displays a fusion of the members’ diverse cultures.

From Akbar’s intricate native Middle Eastern influence of guitar finger picking/ strumming to Abe’s unique blend of North American street-style vocal delivery, backed by a well-armed rhythm section of Waldo Thornhill’s thumping bass and drummer Clarence McGillacutty’s pounding fury, Special Ops have unleashed a direct hit to follow up their award nominated independent release, “Phase 2: Amidst The Madness.”

Honor By August is a quartet that is made up of Michael Pearsall on lead vocals and guitar, Evan Field on lead guitar, Chris Rafetto on bass and vocals, and Brian Shanley on drums and percussion. The band has released one EP (2006’s Photographs) and two albums (2007’s Drowning Out The Television and 2009’s Found). The band is currently on tour in support of Found and an upcoming EP, and that is the reason the band came to the Cleveland area. The last time Honor By August came to the Cleveland area, they opened for Red Wanting Blue at The House of Blues. This time, however, the Washington D.C. group headlined the show. And while the show took place inside The Pirate’s Cove, a venue that holds a mere fraction of what the House of Blues holds, the small Monday Night crowd was there to enjoy the music. Even though there wasn’t a large amount of people in the crowd, those who were in attendance were very attentive; just the types of audience bands like to play to.

When Honor By August took to the compact stage inside The Pirate’s Cove in Downtown Cleveland, it was already 10:45 PM. Even though this would not be that late on any other day, it was for a Monday Night concert.

The band played several of the songs off of their newest album of Found, including “Awake And Alive” and the album’s title track. They also played some of the tracks from Drowning Out The Television, which included “Only In Photographs”.

One of the best things about Honor By August is seeing them live. When the band plays their songs in concert, they do slightly different arrangements than the ones found on their albums. The most interesting part of the performing process that the band uses is the way that they enter into a song. The intros to their songs are what set the live songs apart from the studio versions.

During Honor By August’s set, the band invited Jason Young, the drummer for The Ruse, up on stage. With Honor By August, Jason did a live version of “Time To Go,” a song he performs with his side project of Heartour (pronounced “Hear Tour”).

It was during their set that Honor By August also played “Don’t Give Up On Me,” a song that is on a new EP that is currently being pressed. So keep your eyes and ears open for new material from Honor By August.

The night’s festivities began with Dying for a Second Chance. The five-piece outfit out of Akron, Ohio kept changing their lineup throughout their set: Sometimes, the band was a quintet with both male and female vocal; other times, it was a quartet without the female keyboardist; and sometimes, a quartet with the singer just handling the vocals. The twenty-five minute set showed the band performing different styles, different sounds and different feelings. If the members of Dying for a Second Chance can gel what is there into one viable sound, they will go far.

It was Luna Halo who performed the night’s most interesting set of music. The Nashville, Tennessee band split their time on stage between their own brand or rock and roll that can be found on their 2006 self-titled release (which features their single “Kings And Queens”) and some cover songs such as: “Human” by The Killers and “Take On Me” by A-Ha, a song that the members of Luna Halo never actually played together until that time and place. But as the band threw it to the wind to see what happened, the audience was treated to a great version of the 80’s song. Although the band is currently without a label, Luna Halo is hard at work on material for a future release.

Of all of the bands that performed on Monday night, the band that may have actually been the best known to the audience was The Ruse. In fact, the audience seemed to connect best with the Los Angeles, California band as they went through their 40-minute set of music. The Ruse spent most of their time on stage performing music from their album Love S Ex Confusion, which included a live version of their single “I Can’t Stop”. As the album has just been released, The Ruse is on tour currently promoting it.

The Monday Night concert for Honor By August inside The Pirate’s Cove was a great way to discover some great independent rock bands that deserve to find a larger audience. To discover the music of Honor By August, go to www.honorbyaugust.com. For more information on the opening bands, click on their links.

This year we have another great four bands for your rock and roll pleasure. Performing in aid of a great cause will be:

• Special Ops (www.opsmission.com)
• Emery Street (www.myspace.com/EmeryStreet)
• Vinyl Hero (www.myspace.com/vinylheroband)
• The In & Outs (www.myspace.com/theinnouts)

Now the coolest part of this whole thing is that you are not going to just see four great bands but that by paying the entrance fee of one blanket or a warm article of clothing you will be directly help keep the homeless of Montreal warm this winter. Last year Blankfest donated over 500 items of clothing and blankets to the Old Brewery Mission and this year we are looking to up that number significantly so if you want to hear some great live rock and roll and do some good then head out to Bar St. Laurent 2 on February 19th with blanket in hand and help us rock the joint.

Somebody out there who is having a rough time of it would thank you if they could….